The Federal Communications Commissions officially has proposed the adoption of a rule preventing sports leagues from blacking out games. It’s the first official step in a process that now welcomes commentary from the public regarding the issues.

“We propose to eliminate the sports blackout rules,” the FCC states at paragraph 29 of it Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. “With respect to professional football, the sport most affected by the sports blackout rules, it appears from the existing record that television revenues have replaced gate receipts as the most significant source of revenue for NFL clubs in the 40 years since the rules were first adopted. Moreover, the record received thus far indicates no direct link between black outs and increased attendance at NFL games.

“The record also suggests that the sports blackout rules have little relevance for sports other than professional football, because the distribution rights for most of the games in these sports are sold by individual teams, rather than the leagues. Finally, it appears that the sports blackout rules are unnecessary because sports leagues can pursue local blackout protection through private contractual negotiations. Thus, it appears that the sports blackout rules have become obsolete.”